First commute!

rjcastillo

I've done it, I've FINALLY bloody done it! I've left my motorbike at home and commuted by bicycle for the first time. I'm clearly feeling very chuffed about it, having window shopped for a suitable ride and lurked in and out of forums for a whole year.

In the end I went a very cheap way about it. I found an old Reg Harris fixie on eBay. I changed the back wheel from the original solid disk thing, fitted a freewheel hub and fitted flat bars to it, whilst retaining the aero bars. I've ended up with an all-steel bike that weighs 10kg and is pretty comfy. I think it'll do me just fine, although a luggage rack may be in order eventually.

My commute is 11 miles, from TW12 to Chelsea. It takes 35mins (inc. parking) on the motorbike and I managed to cycle it in 40mins on my first outing; first time riding single speed, first time riding this bike, first time riding anything more than 2 miles for years!

The ONLY tricky aspect to all this is starts, especially hill starts! Damn clips!

BentMikey

Wow, well done!

overmars

Darth Vader: Well done young rjcastillo. But you are not a Jedi yet.


keep going man! May the force be with you and the wind behind ya!

Teuchter

Nice one!

I'm in a similar position, having started cycle commuting (instead of motorbike commuting) on Friday. On my 3rd day of it now and despite having been soaked a few times I'm really getting into it! The money I'm saving on petrol is now being spent on cycling kit but it's more about getting fit to me.

Just over 8 miles each way took me 35 mins today (40 yesterday with heavy rain and a strong headwind!) compared to 20 mins for the less direct 12 mile route on my motorised bicycle

Now looking around now to replace my cheap, heavy, old monster pushbike with a 2nd hand road bike - may even go for drop bars!

ChrisLS

...best thing you will ever do. You wait until your fitness improves...you will be flying...good luck and keep at it...

snakehips

Feels good , huh ?

Well done


Snake

rjcastillo

Well done, Teuchter. How does it feel for you? I kinda feel like I've joined a club, although I should probably now get out of the habit of nodding at bikers at the lights, now that I'm bus fodder and not a biker!

I've just struggled the return route home. That was slightly less glorious; nasty head wind most of the way and took another 10 mins. Bummer. When does this fitness thing kick in?!!

Hairy Jock

You think you feel good now, keep at it, it just gets better!

Teuchter

rjcastillo wrote:

Well done, Teuchter. How does it feel for you? I kinda feel like I've joined a club, although I should probably now get out of the habit of nodding at bikers at the lights, now that I'm bus fodder and not a biker!

Yeah I caught myself nodding at motorbikes when on the pushbike! Need to adjust to nodding at cyclists instead!

I've just bought a cheap old racer on ebay - a late 80s Falcon Team Banana (this one) which I'll collect on Saturday so I'm looking forward to a lighter bike in future. May need a little work being old** but I'm ok with that.

Got to admit I took the motorbike in today as I need to be home sharpish tonight as we're going out early. I'll be engineless again tomorrow!

** Edit - the bike, not me! Well, not too old :?

rjcastillo

I'm on the motorbike too today! Funny that. I've got loads of stuff to carry this afternoon.

geordiepaul2001

I am debating on when to do my first commute.
Its approximately a 13 mile round trip for my work commute.

I have bought a 1 year old (barely used) claude butler urban 300 (2006) from ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0140467094

Been out the past few days and added front/rear mudguards, lights, pump, magnum D-lock, and water bottle.
At present I would feel best cycling in tracksuit bottoms, or 3/4 length shorts - hence the problem - I only have a shirt at work, and need to take my pants and boots with me.
I don't have panniers and I am not sure whether its going to be a hassle.

Any thoughts on the bike? or how I could still do the commute to work.

Paul[/url]

Lbaguley

Paul - I started doing a 7 mile each way commute about three months ago - I started with two days a week - separated by a day or two, but within just a few weeks was up to four days a week. I also carry all my 'work gear' (shirt, trousers etc and shoes) in a rucksack - a relatively small 20 litre job. Sure, the back of my t-shirt is a little damp when I get in, but I'm lucky enough to work somewhere where there are shower facilities. Guess when you say boots, you mean something slightly more sturdy than your average pair of work shoes...?

Re: bike - I reckon you should be fine - I'm on a 4-5yr old hybrid myself - put some 700x28c All Conditions on and loving it.

Good luck...

geordiepaul2001

Just been around the local streets to make sure everything is in order.
Only thing I can pick out is that the front tyre seems to make a scraping noise when I turn as isn't quite as 'bouncy' as the rear tyre.
I have tried inflating but it wont inflate past its current level.

I have never used a hybrid before and I am not used to the tyres, could this just be normal?

geordiepaul2001

First commute out of the way - 13 mile roun trip.
Lets just say I am a litle saddle sore :oops:

rjcastillo

Did you get some proper cycling shorts? They seem to make a huge difference.

redddraggon

My commute is just over 6miles each way, it seems to take longer than it should though, 30mins on a good day and 45mins on a poor day. 8 - 12 miles an hour average seems a bit poor on a road bike, it is quite a bumpy route, but I've only been doing religiously for 3weeks, so hopefully the speed will come with the fitness.

Being new to cycling, having to buy a bike lowered my funds for buying kit, so I've been wearing my nike pro shirts and lycra shorts that I use for rugby.

Do padded shorts make a difference? I guess they would on a longer ride.

Hairy Jock

redddraggon wrote:

My commute is just over 6miles each way, it seems to take longer than it should though, 30mins on a good day and 45mins on a poor day. 8 - 12 miles an hour average seems a bit poor on a road bike, it is quite a bumpy route, but I've only been doing religiously for 3weeks, so hopefully the speed will come with the fitness.

Being new to cycling, having to buy a bike lowered my funds for buying kit, so I've been wearing my nike pro shirts and lycra shorts that I use for rugby.

Do padded shorts make a difference? I guess they would on a longer ride.

Yep padded shorts do make a difference, they are more comfortable.

The other thing I would recommend is that if you doing a lot of running as well as cycling, is that you stretch after cycling. If your bike is set up properly you leg will be almost but not full extended on the down stroke, if you don't stretch after you ride it will lead to hamstring problems when you go running. Five minutes stretching will prevent it becoming a problem.

geordiepaul2001

I must admit that I haven't invested in shorts yet as I haven't found any padded baggy shorts.
Not too keen on lycra just yet lol

I have invested in a padded seat cover for the saddle though and this seems to be helping a little.

The main issue I am having is that sometimes when I change gear it feels like the chain is being gripped properly and is slipping.
Anyone know how I cn adjust this?

Hairy Jock

geordiepaul2001 wrote:

I must admit that I haven't invested in shorts yet as I haven't found any padded baggy shorts.
Not too keen on lycra just yet lol

I have invested in a padded seat cover for the saddle though and this seems to be helping a little.

The main issue I am having is that sometimes when I change gear it feels like the chain is being gripped properly and is slipping.
Anyone know how I cn adjust this?

There are padded baggy shorts out there just try a few bike shops, or get some proper lycra cycle shorts and wear a pair of ordinary baggies over the top.

As for the chain slipping that sound like the chain is worn and needs replacing, a good local bike shop can check this for you.